Yamaha Recalls Off-Road Motorcycles Due to Crash Hazard

By Bryan Bosch, Posted February 26, 2014

Hazard: The off-road motorcycle’s drive chain can detach and cause the rider to lose control, posing a crash hazard.

Consumer Contact:Yamaha at (800) 962-7926 anytime or online at www.yamahamotorsports.com and under the Sports tab, subcategory Motorcycles-Off-Road, click on Parts and Service, then Factory Modification Campaigns, then models YZ250FE and YZ450FE for more information.

RECALL DETAILS

Units: About 1,300

Description: This recall involves two-wheeled 2014 Yamaha competition off-road motorcycles with model numbers YZ250FEL, YZ250FEW, YZ450FEL and YZ450FEW. YZ250F or YZ450F and 250 or 450 is printed on the left and right side panels of the motorcycles. The motorcycles are blue and white, or red and white. The VIN number is stamped on the frame at the steering stem. The letter E in the 10th position of the VIN number indicates that the unit was made in the 2014 model year.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled off-road motorcycles and contact their local Yamaha dealer to schedule a free repair. Yamaha is contacting registered owners directly.

Sold at: Yamaha motorcycle dealers nationwide from December 2013 through January 2014 for between $7,500 and $8,500.

Importer: Yamaha Motor Corporation USA, of Cypress, Calif.

Manufactured in: Japan

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to help ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

By swaldrop, Posted February 26, 2014

Does anyone have any more info about this or know what it is specifically related to? Is it just a bad chain that they are putting on these bikes?